Sunday, October 4, 2015

A Visual Vacay And A Prayer

There are certain photos that I have taken over the years that take me right back to the moment they were snapped. It's a sort of visual vacation when that happens.

The photo above was taken at sunrise several years ago, during a family vacation to Hilton Head, South Carolina.

It was low tide that morning, and The Peanut and I had gone out hunting for olive shells and assorted bits of awesomeness along the shoreline. There were very few people out that morning because it was windy and cold, so we had most of the beach all to ourselves. It felt like we were the only people on Earth for a very long stretch that morning.

Looking at this picture, I can smell the salty tang in the air, hear the rush of waves lapping back and forth and scouring the shoreline with shells and coral bits and the occasional shark tooth bobbing along in their wake. Our shoes got gritty with sand, and still we walked, cold making goosebumps of our skin, yet still we marched on, until finally we found our prize.

The lettered olive shell still sits on my computer desk, reminding me of a time when I was blissfully happy with my wee girlie (who is no longer quite so wee...SIGH).

Just looking at this photo and that shell makes me smile all over again. With one glance, I am back on that shoreline, back in that wonderful memory.

At the moment, that same area of the Low Country in South Carolina, and all up and down the coastline of the Eastern seaboard is dealing with horrific flooding. All the little sea shack dive restaurants that we love so much are dealing with kitchens overrun with water and muck. Homeowners are fleeing to their roofs for safety.

Consider this my prayer for safety and well-being, for recovery and grace, for everyone along the shore.